Surviving the Heat: Building a Sustainable Home with Ancient Mud Techniques

Surviving the Heat: Building Sustainable Homes with Ancient Mud Techniques.
Self-building a terrific dome shaped house in Hot Climate using Mud and Ancient Techniques. The earth house, inspired by the most advanced environmental practices, is intended to contain clean energy, water recycling and aquaponics garden.
Text by owner/builder Hamad Nazzal, November 2017
Last summer, I started constructing Mafraq Domes, an ambitious plan to build the first entirely environmental home in Jordan. The domes located in Mafraq - 60 Km. northeast Amman- is built out of earth, straw, goat hair and lime stone: a traditional building recipe which had been used for hundreds of years.
The earth house, inspired by the most advanced environmental practices, is intended to contain clean energy, water recycling and aquaponics garden.
One major goal behind this structure is to present a natural healthy resident as an alternative to current building trend in the country which depends on concrete and cements; a method proven to be both costly and harmful for earth and soul.
This type of construction is in line with the approach of self-sufficiency and bottom up economy. It works with nature rather than against it.
Such a building evokes the activities which liberate man from depravity of modern days’ economy, and reduces human harm to the earth and provides a life in dignity. Natural soil as construction material creates a healthy space for body and soul where its positive energy absorbs the negative mental energy of human body.
The natural wall insulation warms the house in the winter and chills it in summer; a great passive energy regulator.
In addition, the hand work calls for cooperation values among society which recalls cooperation traditions in our not far history.
Among the difficulties I have faced during the process are lack of experience in this field (the construction of buildings out of natural materials almost completely disappeared during the 20th Century); community reluctance and lack of fund. After completing more than 70 percent of the basic building (it composes of 5 domes and relatively large kitchen - total building space is 230 square meters), the domes had reached a critical stage today.
The constructing of the home has been halted, chiefly due to the shortage of resources. Before that, the building process received good media coverage.
A successful completion of Mafraq Domes is expected to encourage locals to imitate and build in a similar way, and this would the ultimate goal.
ecovillage.org...
Video produced by mindfulbuildin...
في الصيف الماضي ، بدأت في إنشاء قباب المفرق ، وهي خطة طموحة لبناء أول منزل بيئي بالكامل في الأردن. القباب الواقعة في المفرق - 60 كم. شمال شرق عمان - مبني من التراب والقش وشعر الماعز والحجر الجيري: وصفة بناء تقليدية كانت تستخدم لمئات السنين.
يهدف البيت الأرضي ، المستوحى من الممارسات البيئية الأكثر تقدمًا ، إلى احتواء الطاقة النظيفة ، وإعادة تدوير المياه ، وحديقة الأكوابونيك.
يتمثل أحد الأهداف الرئيسية وراء هذا الهيكل في تقديم مقيم طبيعي يتمتع بصحة جيدة كبديل لاتجاه البناء الحالي في الدولة الذي يعتمد على الخرسانة والأسمنت ؛ طريقة ثبت أنها مكلفة وضارة للأرض والروح.
يتماشى هذا النوع من البناء مع نهج الاكتفاء الذاتي والاقتصاد من القاعدة إلى القمة. إنه يعمل مع الطبيعة وليس ضدها.
يستحضر مثل هذا البناء الأنشطة التي تحرر الإنسان من فساد اقتصاد العصر الحديث ، وتقلل من الأذى البشري للأرض وتوفر حياة كريمة. التربة الطبيعية كمواد بناء تخلق مساحة صحية للجسد والروح حيث تمتص طاقتها الإيجابية الطاقة العقلية السلبية لجسم الإنسان.
يعمل عازل الجدار الطبيعي على تدفئة المنزل في الشتاء ويبرده في الصيف ؛ منظم كبير للطاقة السلبية.
بالإضافة إلى ذلك ، فإن العمل اليدوي يدعو إلى قيم التعاون بين المجتمع التي تذكر بتقاليد التعاون في تاريخنا غير البعيد.
من بين الصعوبات التي واجهتها خلال العملية قلة الخبرة في هذا المجال (اختفى تشييد المباني من المواد الطبيعية بالكامل تقريبًا خلال القرن العشرين) ؛ تردد المجتمع ونقص التمويل. بعد الانتهاء من أكثر من 70 في المائة من المبنى الأساسي (يتكون من 5 قباب ومطبخ كبير نسبيًا - إجمالي مساحة البناء 230 مترًا مربعًا) ، وصلت القباب إلى مرحلة حرجة اليوم.
وتوقف بناء المسكن بشكل رئيسي بسبب نقص الموارد. قبل ذلك ، حظيت عملية البناء بتغطية إعلامية جيدة.
من المتوقع أن يؤدي استكمال قباب المفرق بنجاح إلى تشجيع السكان المحليين على التقليد والبناء بطريقة مماثلة ، وهذا هو الهدف النهائي.

[@TheMoonDejesus]

I love this. I love seeing Middle East and Africa returning to traditional mud building. It’s right for the climate, and more beautiful than western buildings

[@Lara-rj5fi]

I've always wanted to build with mud. I'm 54 and thought I'm too old to start now. This has given me new inspiration ❤

[@notashroom]

I'm glad to see there is someone in Jordan advancing the cause of returning to traditional architecture and materials for the good of the Earth and to fill the lack of affordable housing. I've seen people from India, Saudi Arabia, several European countries, Australia, New Zealand, and US (may have missed some), and it's really encouraging. I'm reading " Architecture for the Poor" by F. Hassan right now, telling of his efforts to do the same in Egypt more than 50 years ago, and it's quite a story. Maybe the time has finally come that we can refuse to pass on the burden of working for housing most of our lives.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

I'm also glad to see this kind of building

[@hoelenp]

I congratulate the builder for his endurance….we need more people like him. Another masterpiece by MBL

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

what a lovely comment, thank you 😊

[@hnazzal6715]

because of people like you, Patrick and like Master Wim, who crossed the seas to reach the Earth..- I am both delightful and determined to build more Mud house.

[@hoelenp]

@@hnazzal6715 you are a lovely human being and my partner and me would love to visit you one day. You offcours are always welkom. Greetings from the Belgium Ardennen.

[@hnazzal6715]

@@hoelenp you are most welcome any time. hope you can make it soon. I will be honored to visit you guys too. but recently no plans to travel🙂Many preparations though to host earth lovers at Mafraq domes

[@meghrajtamang6383]

Great initiative and example 👏 for sustainability and using abundance of natural resources and traditional wisdom!

[@hnazzal6715]

🙏🌹🌹

[@marsha6892]

Wow!!! Awesome!!! God bless you!!! Jesus loves you!!!

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

He's a lovely man 🥰

[@MQ-cw9qx]

Thank you for this post. This is very valuable information.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

You're very welcome 😊

[@GenocideMonitor]

You made it beautifully. I hope that more people visit and enjoy your hospitable welcome. Thank you.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

I hope so too!

[@hnazzal6715]

🌹Thanks a million

[@aronjohnson8382]

Great! Love and respect from India! West technology and commercialization has ruined the nature and humanity.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

😁

[@black-white379]

Неймовірно багато праці в цьому будинку

[@satishatakare3717]

Nice one!

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Thank you! Cheers!😀

[@SanjaySharma-nj4ri]

Good i like thanks

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Thanks for liking😀

[@meheretnardos1894]

Thank you for the video! I love the house. It is beautiful n peaceful!

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

glad you liked it 😀

[@janelleryan7869]

I love that he's building hyper adobe in Jordan ❤❤❤

[@AtulKumar-wh2ju]

Admirable work for earth and environment. 🌏🙏🏻

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

I think so too 😀

[@hnazzal6715]

Atul Kumar... thanks a million.

[@go-getter2682]

Very nice video and the initiative too. You covered all my doubts.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Glad to hear that

[@lennartrauhe]

That is wonderful! 🙏 Thank you for such a valuable contribution! If humanity had more people like this good man, our world would be much different! Hope inspiring!

[@crazyhank99]

Greetings from the United States. Thank you for sharing your experience and philosophy, and for giving us a the tour of your wonderful home.

[@b.c.4902]

This is awesome. I am sure we will go back to living like this!

[@ibresuenacontunaturaleza83]

I love this information! Thanks for sharing!

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

You're welcome

[@martauhrskov9729]

Thanks for sharing - wonderful😆

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Our pleasure!🙏

[@okinoboo4743]

What a dream. Superb. Great talker and initiative ❤ hats off

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

awesome, true!

[@eneskara868]

Kolay gelsin yağmur için nasıl bir önlem aldınız dış cephe için sıvaya ne kattınız

[@greenheritage4275]

very nice

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Thanks

[@svetlanapil8089]

I loved your house and as an artist I am really attracted to your color scheme. Your sister has a very good taste, so do you!

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Hamad will enjoy your comment

[@taozhang2694]

Nice 👍

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Thanks for the visit

[@dietrichdietrich7763]

glad to see this video.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Glad you saw it 👌

[@hopeandsoil]

Great episode! Do you happen to know if the owner harvests rainwater off of the roof/roof terrace? I’d love to know if/how that’d be possible? Thank you!

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Yes indeed, via the flat roof (in between the domes) he collects rain water

[@mariaestelaacosta8372]

Te felicito a ti y a tu familia!! Las temperaturas en mi región están llegando a esos grados y realmente es necesaria ese tipo de vivienda! Muchas bendiciones y gracias!!

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

excellent!

[@josephinemuringo2453]

Awesome 😍

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thangavelmookiah]

Love to build similar house. Is there any video how the dome is being made?

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Afraid not

[@makingmemorieswithmichigan1368]

What is the brand name of the heater-cooker you are using? Looks awesome

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Can't tell you helas

[@itzakpoelzig330]

My question is can earthbag construction be done with biodegradable bags instead of plastic bags? I would do it in a heartbeat if no plastic was involved.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Indeed that makes sense

[@notashroom]

You can use burlap, but to avoid having gaps between bags, you would probably have to sew them yourself.

[@black-white379]

Якщо ви будете будувати один, то можна обійтися без мішків

[@Mangold108]

or you have a mud house or you have a mad house! your choice!

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Indeed 😆

[@hellojello8376]

How do you think these houses would do in winters in North America? Would they crack?

[@black-white379]

Нічого їм не станеться

[@rishiodeb]

May I visit your house someday?

[@hnazzal6715]

sure, you are most welcome.. i will be delighted to host you

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

ok Hamad gave you an answer, that's great

[@وجدانجميل-ز5ض]

إئي وفي كهربا؟

[@MsGaella]

👏👏👏👍❤️

[@وجدانجميل-ز5ض]

وين الجاجات والغنمات

[@sadikhalishaik2026]

In rainy season how it stand?

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

It still stands after years

[@وجدانجميل-ز5ض]

لا كنت تستعمل الاسمنت والطوب وليش بتحكي بالانجليزي

[@hnazzal6715]

اخت وجدان تكلمنا كثيرا بالعربي وهذا اول تقرير بالانجليزي. إن نسبة الطين والقش في هذا البيت هي 95 بالمئة على الاقل. استخدمنا طوب قديم من اللبن من بيوت قديمة ونسبة بسيطة من القشرة من الأسمنت الأبيض لا تزيد سماكتها عن ٥سم علما بأن عرض الجدار الطيني 60 سم ويصل إلى اكثر من متر من الطين الخالص

[@jeantea8475]

In what city and country is this house

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

This is in Jordan, in the town of Mafraq

[@lunarflare6113]

I know these are mud houses but what kind of mud house architecture is this

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

It's built in the local ancient style

[@وجدانجميل-ز5ض]

بلاط

[@brownfang3547]

It's unfortunate that this video features obviously Black African based designs and is racist enough to call them ancient, which they are, without attributing them to the civilization that originated them.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

That's an interesting perspective

[@zaidwalid1360]

but jordanians love to build a fancy cement house and become poor to the rest of his life cause of it's building expenses 😃

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

I'm afraid you're right

[@اميرالكلمة-ث6ب]

حاب ازورك ممكن رقم هاتف حضرتك؟

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

Helas I don't speak the language

[@electronicmail3020]

In the modern age and earth it rains. Then what ? I pack dirt in a plant container, it doesn't survive sun and water without the container. Is everyone trying to convince people to make buildings that collapse or let others suggest this to me and l turn them down.

[@MindfulBuildingandLiving]

as long as everybody is free 🏡

[@itzakpoelzig330]

These houses last longer than conventional (commercialized) buildings. This isn't just a pile of dirt, it's much more technical than that.